In the New Year’s post I wrote about the Jesus’ promises in John 14 and how often we miss the dunamis power because we do not realize or yet worse possibly refuse to recognize the the power given to us as blood bought Christ followers. Today I want to look at look at a term the Apostle John used in the book called the Revelation of Jesus Christ or some call the Unveiling Jesus Christ.

Lets start with John quoting Jesus in the vision to the church at Ephesus:

” Yet this you have: you hate the works of Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Revelation 2:6 ESV

There has been much theological debate and discussion through church history about what and who the Nicolaitans were and what they represented. Now I come from an engineering background and the one thing that you learn early on is something called the “KISS” principle which is the acronym for ” Keep it Simple Stupid”. So what is my point? In the study of God’s word we can make things overly difficult to grasp and understand. The above name is one of those that theologians have made overly difficult and frankly I think we have missed the mark to what Jesus was warning about to the church of Ephesus in Revelation.

So lets look at Nicolaitans and what that name actually means in definition form. It is apparent in verse 6 that Jesus hated the works of Nicolaitians and that we know and agree it was a false teaching. But I want look at what the actual name means in its root form and in Notes on the Bible from Cyrus Scofield he suggests that Nicolaitans ” refers to the earliest form of the notion of a priestly order, or ‘clergy’, which later divided an equal brotherhood into ‘priests’ and ‘laity.'”[15]

With all the discussion on what the heresy might have been we can miss the point about the Nicolaitans. Therewhere two groups that were formed clergy(priests) and a laity (lay people). Was this wrong to do? Yes or No? Since most of todays 21st century church have some type of hierarchal leadership model and in Acts there were roles of leadership within in the 1st century church given. I would say you need a structure of accountability to sustain a vibrant church.

But what if this clergy/priests and laity roles become abused or misused in a way that does not honor what Jesus had laid out to the apostles for the early church? Such as clergy becoming so powerful within the church that it decides what is theologically correct and not correct. And forgets it’s servant role and making a second tier or lower class in the church of the laity/lay people. The decisions may include adding in traditions, false teachings and superstitions of man to the church. We get have gotten so hung up on what the heresies might have been that we as a global church have missed the simple part of what Jesus hated.

Finally read Matthew 24:31-46 ( * you can read in your study) is a very sobering account from Jesus on judgement and honestly very scary. Remember who his audience is when he gives this warning. The religious elite of his day! Back to Revelation 2:6 I believe that the name or term Nicolaitan is referring an elite religious order that strayed into heresy over time and forgot there first love. We don’t always need to have endless debate on what the apostasy was but more importantly what allowed the apostasy to gain momentum to begin with.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 ESV

So today I am pondering why we the “Church” do not claim this promise as given? This declaration was not for only the original 12 disciples as many claim that hold to a cessation view of the gifts. First note it says “whoever” which indicates anyone who is a true believer. Then in the next verses:

“Whatever you ask in my name , this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name , I will do it.” John 14: 13-14 ESV

Did you catch this ? The use of ” whatever” and ” glorify the Father” are key. Jesus will do what we ask so that His Father may be glorified. In other words simply put if we ask in faith for something that will glorify the Father, Jesus will do it! Then Jesus moves on to the following declaration:

“If you love me , you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 ESV

If we truly love Him we will want keep His commandments! In this day of me first and instant gratification this sadly is often not true within the western church. We have made ourselves idols and put God in the background. And then we wonder why we have do not have or display the dunamis power of the gifts. It is now 2018 and I am believing for more of the dunamis power and declaring this promise from Jesus:

” And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” John 14:16 ESV

This is a promise that so many in the present 21st century church simply do not grasp and sometimes will even try to explain away with very fancy theological terms and debates. But you can’t!! Look at what Jesus said:

” In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” John 14:20 ESV

One word “Wow!” Do you hear what Jesus is saying? We are in Him and He in us. We are a container for the Holy Spirit! Then look at the following words Jesus spoke:

” But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT. whom the Father will send in my name , he will teach you all things and bring to remembrance all that I have said.” John 14:26 ESV

Do we realize what we have as a blood bought Christ follower? We have God living in us and all that we need to know will be given by Holy Spirit. It doesn’t say go get a BS, MS and etc; at some well known school for religion. No! It states he (Holy Spirit) will teach you all things. (vs.26) Now I am not against seminary or other types of higher learning of scriptures, but remember those who completely missed the the first coming of Jesus! So back to the main point of this blog post today. In this new year of 2018 I believe will be breakthrough year for those who will claim verse 12: ( from the TPT)

” I tell you a this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do — even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father! John 14:12 TPT

We declare and bind this promise from Jesus today in His precious blood . So today put self away and honestly ask Holy Spirit to reveal truths to you. Then get ready for somethings you may not be in your plan! But if you listen and obey Holy Spirit the dunamis power will begin to unfold in your walk with Him. The interesting thing that happens the more you feed yourself with Holy Spirit the hungrier you will get for Holy Spirit revealing the mysteries of Christ. So today lets seek together Holy Spirit’s wisdom and then move on what He reveals. Yes and Amen.

A child has been born for us! A son has been given to us! The responsibility of total dominion rests on his shoulders And he will be known as: The Wonderful One! The marvelous counselor! The mighty God! The Father of eternity! And The Prince of Peace!

his kingdom authority will be great and he will bring immeasurable prosperity! he will rule on david’s throne and establish david’s kingdom from this time forward and for evermore he will con- tinue to strengthen it by promoting righteousness and justice! The Lord’s great passion for his people will insure that it is finished